Spark-plug connector.



w, Zummswl.

SPARK PLUG CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9.1918. l 284,025m Patented Nov. 5, i918.

WALTER ZlELlNSl, 0F :BAY CTY, MICI'IGAN.

SPARK-PLUG @011ml FUTUR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER ZnaLINsKI, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and citate of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful `Improvements in Spark-Plug Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a connector for electrical conductors adapted for securing together' in close contact without the employment of solder at such points for instance as the connection between electric wires and their attaching brackets.

A further object of the device is the provision of an inexpensive means for attaching a contact member in electrical circuit upon a conducting wire, the arrangement being such that the members may be readily disconnected at will although firmly attached when in their operative arrangement.

A still further object of the device is to provide a means whereby the circuit wire of a spark plug may be readily disconnected without the necessity of removing the usual lock nut with which the plugs are provided nor the connector itself, the wire being readily released from the connector and attached thereto when desired without interfering with the position of the connector upon the spark plug.

1n the drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device operatively arranged with a circuit wire connected to a spark plug;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the latch open; i

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a portion of thesame with parts shown by dotted lines in their shifted positions;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the socket portion of the connector; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the link portion or attaching end thereof.

lt being understood that the device is adaptable for attaching circuit wires to any form of connector, the same is herein illusytrated in its operative arrangement electrically connecting the insulated circuit wire 10 with the spark plug 11, the said plug Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1919.

Patented Flon.. 5, 1919. f

Serial No. 227,450.

having the usual central conducting post 12 with a lock nut 13 screw-threaded upon the outwardly projecting end thereof.

i socket member 14 is arranged of tubular formation having a socket 15 in one end thereof adapted for the reception of the circuit wire 10. '.lhe conducting` cord 16 of the circuit wire being separated from the insulation passes through a reduced opening 17 in the inner end wall 1S of the socket. A link member 19 is arranged with a block 2() pivoted as at 21 within the slot 22 at the end of the socket member 14 adjacent its end 18 adapted for receiving the wire cord 16 between the opposite tapered sides 23 of the said socket member.

A groove 24 is provided in the inner end of the block 2O adapted to receive the cord wires 16 when operatively arranged as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing while a retainer 25 swingingly mounted upon the block 2O by means of a pin 26 is adapted for overlying the cord wires when sopositioned for retaining 'thewires within the groove 24. A resilient latch 27 is swingingly mounted upon the socket member 14 `by means of a screw 28 arranged over the member 25 for retaining the device closed but readily shiftable ed' of the retainer 25 for releasing the retainer as well as the block 20 when it is desired to permit the removal of the cord `member' 16 and allowing the circuit wire 10 to be withdrawn from the socket 15.

A plate 29 carried by the block 20 is provided with a central perforation 30 for mountingupon the post 12 with the lock nut lit-arranged thereover for retaining the link member 19 upon the plug 11 electrically connected to the post12. j

The usual manner of connecting a circuit wire such as 16 to a link connector such as 19 is to solder the cord portion 16 of the wire to the metallic connector and my device provides a means for easily and quickly attaching the wire 10 to a connector such as the link member 19 and for detaching the same therefrom at will while `the entire device may be permanently secured to the spark plug 11 if desired and the wire 10 attached to and detached from the device whenever it is desired to disconnect the circuit wire from the spark plug. The screw 28 may be adjusted for securing the latch 27 against relative swinging movement if found desirable. 'lhe retainer 25 seats upon the opposite edges 31 of the adj acently arranged sides 23 of the socket member 14 when operatively positioned while the free end of tongue portion 32 of the retainer seats within the inner end of the slot 22 at one side of the socket portion 111. IIhe block 20 may readily swing out of alinement with the opening 17 to permit the wire cord 16 to readily pass through the said opening and thereafter the block may be swung into contact with the wires 16 bringing the inner end portions 33 of the block 20 into forcible Contact with the inner end 34 of the slot 22. The wire cord 16 being then bent over into the groove 24, the retainer 25 is shifted over the wire cord being pressed into close engagement therewith and then locked in its position by the latch 27. A compact arrangement is provided possessing great strength and affording a perfect electrical contact between the conducting cord 16 of the circuit wire 10 and the device, whereby the electrical circuit passes without interruption to the attaching plate 29, the latter being electrically Connected to any desired member such as the post 12 of the spark plug 11.

What I cla-im as new is 1. A device of the class described comprising a tubular open ended socket member adapted for the reception of a line wire, a pivoted block carried bv said socket member engaging the wire when arranged within the socket and provided with an attaching plate end, a retainer pivoted to the block overlying the wire when operatively arranged, and an adjustable holding latch for said retainer.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a tubular open-ended socket member, a link member pivoted to the socket member having inner face portions abutting the socket member when operatively arranged, a wireretainer pivotally carried by the link member having closing movement with respect to the link and Socket members, and adjustable holding means associated with the retainer for locking the retainer and link members with the socket member.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a tubular open-ended socket member adapted for receiving a circuit wire and having an end slot between which the circuit wire is adapted to project, an attaching link member having an enlarged end pivoted within said slot, for engaging a circuit wire when extending into the slot, a wire-engaging retainer hinged upon the link member, and a latch carried by the socket member for restrainingly engaging the re- Copies of this patent may be obtained for tainer when the device is operatively arranged.

t. In combination with a circuit wire, a tubular socket member adapted for the reception of the wire axially therein, the said socket member having a longitudinal slot in one end thereof with tapered side portions adapted for receiving the wire therebetween and an opening from the pocket to the slot, an attaching link member having a block portion pivoted within said slot and arranged with inner faces adapted for abutting the inner end of the slot when the link member is operatively arranged in substantially axial alinement with the socket member, the said block portion of the link member having a groove in its inner end adapted for receiving the end of the line wire ex1 tending through the socket, and retaining means for the wire carried by the block and socket members.

5. In combination with a circuit wire, a tubular socket member adapted for the rcception of the wire axially therein, the said socket member having a longitudinal slot in one end thereof with tapered side portions adapted for receiving the wire therebetween, and an opening from the socket to the slot, an attaching link member having a block portion pivoted within said slot and arranged with inner faces adapted for abutting the inner end of the slot when the link member is operatively arranged in substantially axial alinement with the socket member, the said block portion of the link member having a groove in its inner end adapted for receiving the end of the line wire extending through the socket, a retainer pivoted to the block portion of the link member adapted for seating within the said slot overlying the line wire adjacent the grooved portion of the block, and a locking latch for the retainer carried by the socket member adapted for overlying the retainer when the device is arranged upon the line wire.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a tubular open-ended socketmember having a slotted end portion, aconnecting lilik member having a block portion pivoted to the socket member at the slotted end thereof for engaging a wire carried by the latter, a wire-engaging retainer pivoted to the said block portion, and a movement-restraining latch for the link member and retainer adjustably arranged upon the socket member.

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.

WALTER ZIELINSKI.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

